Silea-class Airborne Destroyer

The Silea-class Airborne Destroyer is a modern day airborne fighting vehicle, built by Smith-Idara Systems and operated exclusively by the Mithambian Aeroservices Branch. They have replaced the older Ivarin-class airborne destroyers and Lonel-class frigates that were the escort mainstays of the MASB, and constitute the majority of escorts that form the MASB's action groups.

Characteristics

The Silea-class maintains the short wings that are common to all aerial vehicles of Mithambian origin, and maintains a pointed shape when observed from above or below - giving the Silea class the nickname of "Daggers".
Slightly smaller than its predecessors in the Ivarin-class, the Silea-class is instead stouter, maintaining thicker armor on its lower superstructure and reinforced cabins on the rear upper deck. Its primary batteries are on the port and starboard sides of the vehicle, mounted in line with the bridge and the wing roots.

Sub-classes

Silea I

The Silea I series - the Aggressor Series - was the first of the classes of the new destroyer, and was developed out of combat data obtained from both the Ivarin-class and Lonel-class vehicles that preceded it, particularly with respect to anti-Seraxi operations. The Ivarin-class was too expensive to run and required line vehicle support to combat the new Scyther sub-variants of Seraxi, while the Lonel-class suffered an increasing rate of combat losses and unacceptable losses of material and personnel.
The first of the Silea I series, the MAS Carielle, was launched in 1871, and immediately took to the skies as part of preliminary testing by the MASB. With her performance within the expectation of the Ivarin-class with the pricetag of the Lonel-class, the Carielle began combat airworthiness trials in 1872, where she was able to subdue and eliminate an approaching Seraxi Weta without further support. With the success of the Carielle, the MASB gave the green light for the Silea series to begin mass production.

Silea II

The Silea II series - the Protector Series - was developed in 1881, following a 10-year study of the effectiveness of the Silea I in operations. The Silea I's primary armaments and systems were well-suited for anti-Seraxi operations and combat against larger threats, but left areas to be desired in small threat engagement, including miniutive Seraxi forms and hostile drones.
The Silea II replaces its Armata 20mm autocannons with the Senitzen Systems 12mm machine guns on its primary turrets, and adds enhanced targeting capability with the Daxis DA-82 autotargeting computer system. In addition, the Silea II boasts the Naviti MLRS launchers, which provides additional utility in varying munitions.

Silea III

The Silea III series - the Expedition Series - came about as a result of the Steel Aegis Disaster: the incident proved that the Silea I and II series, although excellent for their existing roles in realspace convoy defense and coastal defense, were woefully lacking in Etherspace combat. The loss of 4 Silea-class destroyers and their crews in one action was considered unacceptable by MAF strategists and MASB commanders, to which the combat data of the Sifen-class Endless Rainbow and Infinite Sunrise, and the Marb-class Sophia Justice were studied in an attempt to keep the Silea-series up to date with the vehicles it should be supporting. First development of the Silea III series began in 1887, with the first Silea III series vehicles launched in 1889.
The Silea III series boasts the enhanced ethereal processing capabilities that would normally be found on the Aivir-class cruisers, while also further augmented with a miniaturized version of the Grandstand barrier generators found on the Marb-class. It sports the Croxwen CA-8 Ethereal Beam projectors in its primary weapon turrets, and boasts two additional Armata 10mm close-in weapon turrets for close-range defense.

Operational History

Accidents & Major Incidents

Loss of the Westrel

In 1883, the MAS Westrel and the civilian airship Ikora collided in mid-air over Manhesto Bay, and both crashed into the waters below. All hands on the Westrel perished, and 27 passengers on the Ikora succumbed to their injuries over the coming days. The loss of separation and collision was attributed to airspace controller inexperience, poor weather for visual guidance, and a mis-calibrated proximity alarm system onboard the Westrel.

The Steel Aegis Disaster

Throughout the Steel Aegis Disaster, 4 Silea-class destroyers were among the vehicles destroyed by enemy action, with all hands lost. This represents the largest single loss of life outside of active hostilities in the MASB's history. The MAS Maved, Ichiron, Olbursk, and Klixen, were destroyed and lost in the conflict.

The Falkner Square Massacre

Concurrent to the Falkner Square Massacre, the destroyers MAS Vikil and Sarani were crippled by saboteurs in Port Manhesto, further fuelling the chaos of the day. Twenty seven officers and crew were injured in the attack.

Famous Vehicles in Class

Name	Callsign	Commissioned	Homeport	Status
Carielle	MDFVI	1871	Thethertow	Active in service
Westrel	MDOIX	1874	Wihuling	Destroyed - accident
Maved	MDVPL	1872	Thethertow	Destroyed in combat
Ichiron	MDVBK	1876	Wihuling	Destroyed in combat
Olbursk	MDSZA	1881	Wihuling	Destroyed - accident
Klixen	MDAVB	1882	Fiverby	Destroyed - accident
Vikil	MDBQJ	1875	Manhesto	Undergoing repairs/retrofit
Sarani	MDDXZ	1875	Manhesto	Undergoing repairs/retrofit

Class Overview

Builders
Smith-Idara Systems
Joust Shipyards
Kraxi Ironworks
Operators
The Mithambian Aeroservices Branch
Predecessors
Lonel-class frigate
Ivarin-class destroyer
Cost
5.6 million orbs per vehicle
Estimated 791.8 million orbs overall
Built
1869 - present
In commission
1871 - present
Planned
46
Completed
28
Lost
5

Specifications

General Characteristics

Type
Airborne Destroyer

Armaments

Primary Armaments

• 2x Armata 20mm Dual Barrel Autocannons (Silea I series)
• 2x Naviti MLRS Launchers (Silea II series)
• 4x Senitzen Systems 12mm machine guns (Silea II series)
• 2x Croxwren CA-8 Ethereal Beam projectors (Silea III series)

Secondary Armaments

• Naviti "Mailman" VTLS (Silea I, II, III series)
• 1x Armata 10mm point defense autocannon (Silea I, II series)
• 4x Armata 10mm point defense autocannon (Silea III series)